You decide to shoot the nasty one first in a fit of practicality, and nock an arrow as you watch your target.
2
Your first discovery when you do so is that the Kaiser's spymaster appears to be able to hear an arrow in flight, and has fast enough hands to catch it at that, at which point he examines it for half a second before snapping it in half and tossing it aside. Your next discovery as he turns in the direction you shot from is that his preferred form of communication is that of bestial hissing as he bounds your way, pelting your position with daggers as you start to make a rapid retreat with the Princess well ahead of you. Sir Ludovic shouts and follows, but clearly isn't able to keep up with his compatriot.
5
He is very quick, but you have the advantage of knowing where the hell you're going. Or, rather, the hell knows where you're going and changes to accommodate your need and the whims of its lord. Even you are surprised by where you end up, however - a darkened clearing where the pines have grown twisted and shadows lurk between the tree trunks, watching your every move. And in the center there is a crumbling, overgrown stone pedestal, on it are written faded words:
I AM YUGROM OF KUDU, MASTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
AT HEZ-SHALHOUB'S COMMAND I LEAVE THIS HERE
THIS TOME WAS WRIT IN MY BLOOD
AND KNIT FROM MY OWN SKIN
SPEAK THE WORDS I HAVE TOLD YOU
AND CLAIM POWER ETERNAL
And on the pedestal, true enough, lays the fabled Book of Hez-Shalhoub, ugly and ramshackle, stitched from odd chunks and bits of its author and fitting about as well together as you would expect from someone no doubt experiencing a materials shortage after a certain point. It does not whisper or glower, but instead merely waits implacably for someone with the gumption to try and take it.
Well, Princess Annika observes altogether less quickly than you, that does look a lot like what you were looking for in here, right? Imagine just coming across it like that while running around the area. Yes, you sigh to yourself, imagine that.
The Vesperlund spymaster is a little late to arrive - this is because he has circled round, seemingly in an attempt to outmaneuver you. Instead as he bursts into the clearing he finds you looking straight at him, and his eyes wander momentarily to the sight of the Book as he cranes his head curiously. You have the slightest of openings. Three seconds at best. You can make it to the pedestal in one at a flat-out sprint.
A) Grab the book and desperately channel its power to dispose of the Spymaster!
B) Speak the words, grab the book and hope you don't get stabbed too many times before it does your bidding!
C) Settle this man to man in a winner-takes-all knife fight in the depths of Hell itself!
D) Perform a daring con and hope he's fool enough to fall for it!
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Topic: SPAMMASTER: Spymistress Kalja the Bewitched (Read 36447 times)